Author: Tom Stockman

Autism Documentary DEEJ Screening at Webster University January 18th


DEEJ screens Thursday January 18th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). The movie starts at 7:30pm.$5 donation suggested (to defray expenses). The screening is co-sponsored by MO-FEAT (Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment). DJ Savarese, the subject of the film,  will be in attendance and available for questions and answers.


Deej won the lottery when his parents adopted him from foster care; He won it again when they included him in regular education. Now, he seeks to help kids much less fortunate than himself by showing people what a nonspeaking student with autism can do. In Deej the camera intrudes on every aspect of Deej’s life. If seeing truly is believing, then perhaps eyes can be opened to the full potential of kids with significant disabilities. Shot over a six-year period, Deej reveals not only what the ideal of full inclusion requires but also what it can accomplish. DJ Savarese will be in attendance and available for questions and answers.

 

George Romero’s THE CRAZIES Midnights This Weekend at The Moolah


“Look, we’ve quarantined the area. We’re sealing off the town!”


THE CRAZIES screens Midnights this weekend (January 19th and 20th) at The Moolah Theater and Lounge (3821 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108) as part of  Destroy the Brain’s monthly Late Nite Grindhouse film series.


Just in case some stubborn people are still questioning the late George A. Romero’s talent after his 1968 milestone NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, do us all a favor and head over ot The Moolah this weekend for the midnight screenings of his 1973 horror follow-up  THE CRAZIES! Once again a film stuffed with subtle criticism on society and pitch black humor. THE CRAZIES immediately demands your full attention with a powerful pre-credits opening sequence and the high-excitement level is upheld throughout the entire movie. The little Pennsylvanian town of Evans City is overcome with a secret, but very lethal, government virus leaving the infected either dead or incurably insane. “Trixie” initially was developed as a chemical weapon, so not one of the scientists or army officers know how to put a stop to it when innocent people are exposed to it. The simple plot and cheap elaboration are excellently camouflaged by Romero’s sharp eye for detail. Right from the start, he builds up a tense atmosphere of truly realistic mass hysteria that confuses even you, the viewer, in not knowing which characters are infected and which aren’t. They could all simply be trigger-happy Pennsylvanian hillbillies for all we know! Although this film never really becomes “disturbing”, there are quite a few scenes that shock and that feel strangely real. You could also state “The Crazies” was quite ahead of its time because chemical warfare is much more in the picture now than it was 30 years ago, when this film got shot. Romero’s premise is simple but efficient: the malfunctioning and greed of the human race is much scarier than any fictional horror monster could ever be. Best example is the military men who become eerie and threatening in their icky white suits. Don’t miss THE CRAZIES Midnights this weekend


The Facebook invite for Friday night can be found HERE
https://www.facebook.com/events/1983796804982785/

The Facebook invite for Saturday night can be found HERE
https://www.facebook.com/events/1975756376083399/


TICKETS ARE $7 AND YOU CAN BUY THEM ONLINE VIA MOOLAH’S WEBSITE.

THE PSYCHOTRONIC PRE-SHOW STARTS AROUND 11:30P WITH THE FILM STARTING AT MIDNIGHT.

The Moolah Theatre & Lounge serves alcohol until 2:30AM! Feel free to show up early and stay late to have some drinks and get friendly with the amazing Moolah staff.

Disney•Pixar’s COCO Crosses Over Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD on Feb. 13th and on 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray on Feb. 27th


Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” —the story of a 12-year-old aspiring musician’s extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors—won a 2018 Golden Globe AwardÒ for Best Animated Motion Picture, topped the domestic box office Thanksgiving holiday weekend, became the highest grossing film of all time in Mexico, broke records in China and earned widespread praise, receiving 96 percent from critics and 97 percent from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Now this vibrant tale filled with love and laughter arrives home Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and on Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13, and on 4K Ultra HD,™ Blu-ray,™ DVD and On-Demand on Feb. 27.

Through fresh and fascinating bonus material, adventurers of all ages will tag along with filmmakers as they soak in Día de los Muertos in Mexico; explore the essential role of music in “Coco;” and learn how the cast and crew personally connect with the film’s message. They’ll step behind the scenes to discover the inspiration behind the film’s creative costuming; Miguel’s beautifully complicated family; Dante the loyal Xolo dog; and the stunning worlds of both the dead and the living. Features also include deleted scenes, insightful filmmaker commentary, the music of Coco and more.


“Coco” is packaged several ways to ensure viewers get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multi-screen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for Digital 4K Ultra HD or the 4K UHD Combo Pack, which includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD, bringing the rich color, textures and sounds to life and immersing viewers in two fantastically animated worlds. Dolby Atmos audio heightens the memorable score created by Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino and his 83-piece orchestra, as well as original songs like “Remember Me” by the Oscar®-winning team behind “Frozen,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

 

BONUS FEATURES*

                Blu-ray & Digital:

  • Deleted Scenes with Introductions – Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
    • Día de los Muertos – In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
    • The Way of the Riveras – A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
    • Celebrity Tour – Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
    • The Bus Escape – The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
    • Alebrije Attack – Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
    • The Family Fix – After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
    • To the Bridge – As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
  • Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
  • The Music of “Coco” – Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
  • Paths to Pixar: “Coco” – Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
  • Welcome to the Fiesta – A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
  • How to Draw a Skeleton – Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
  • A Thousand Pictures a Day – Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
  • Mi Familia – Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
  • Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
  • Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
  • The Real Guitar – The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
  • Dante – How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
  • How to Make Papel Picado – Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
  • Un Poco “Coco” – A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
  • “Coco Trailers” – Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”

                        DVD:

  • Filmmaker Commentary
  • Dante

Special Sing-Along Screenings of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Begin This Weekend

    

20th Century Fox has announced a week of sing-along screenings of its hugely popular, original musical feature film THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.

Starting this Friday, January 12, the film will be available in 300 theatres around the country in a special version that will display the songs’ lyrics on screen, allowing viewers to sing along with the film’s best-selling soundtrack.

The film’s songs, penned by Academy Award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, have already been embraced by fans worldwide: THE GREATEST SHOWMAN soundtrack currently holds the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and has also reached #1 on iTunes in over 60 countries.

Earlier this week at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards, “This Is Me” (performed by Keala Settle) took home the award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture.

USA Today said, “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is chock full of amazing and catchy tunes you’ll be humming after the credits roll.”

But starting Friday, fans can sing-along as the film is playing! The link below provides a list of all participating theatres.

http://www.thegreatestshowmantickets.com/?format=sing-a-long 

PADDINGTON 2 – Review

It’s rare for a sequel to outshine its predecessor, but PADDINGTON 2 succeeds admirably. The loveable bear with the blue duffel coat and red hat returns to the big screen in a funny, charming, and occasionally emotional adventure that gives audiences more of what they loved in the first installment…and then some. 2018 has begun well.

PADDINGTON 2 opens with a brief prologue showing baby Paddington rescued by his bear Uncle Pastuzo (Michael Gambon) and bear Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who permanently postpone a visit to London to take care of him. Jump ahead a couple of decades and Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is now a permanent resident of Windsor Gardens in London with his adopted family, the Browns (Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, and Samuel Joslin – all returning from the 2014 original). The bear is searching for the perfect gift for cherished Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday and finds it in the form of a unique pop-up book of London’s landmarks at an antique store run by Mr Gruber (Jim Broadbent). But the book is pricey, so Paddington gets a job cleaning windows in the neighborhood, but soon finds himself framed for breaking and entering the store and stealing the book. The real thief is the crafty Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), a former stage star reduced to acting in dog food commercials who has his own, greedier designs on that book which he’s discovered houses a treasure map.  This leaves the Brown family to try and clear Paddington’s name while the poor bear attempts to adjust to life in prison.

On every level, PADDINGTON 2 is a remarkable work – far ahead of any (mostly) live-action family movie in recent memory. The cast is a who’s who of British thesps and all seem to be having a swell time: Hugh Bonneville is a doting dad who worries too much while Sally Hawkins is his sweet-natured wife, training to swim the English Channel. The background is peppered with folks like Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Joanna Lumley, and Peter Capaldi as Mr. Curry, back on his one-man quest to rid the streets of Paddington. Tom Conti shines in one of the funniest slapstick scenes as a judge who’s the victim of Paddington’s first go as a barber and he’s brought back for a couple of punch lines. But it’s the film’s two major new characters that really kick PADDINGTON 2 into high gear. Hugh Grant as Phoenix handily steals every scene he’s in. Whether hawking “Harley’s Gourmet Doggy Din-Dins” or reacting with shock when he realizes he has left home without his favorite ascot, Grant shows comic chops I didn’t know he had. My favorite is Brendan Gleeson who displays brilliant comic timing as Knuckles McGinty, the feared prison chef who bonds with Paddington over their shared love of all things marmalade.

PADDINGTON 2 offers a continuous stream of visual inventiveness, with a palette of bright paint-box colors and clever gadgets (the briefcase Paddington always carries contains nothing but an extending ladder which continually comes in handy). The prison sequences are priceless, eye-popping highlights, with pipes used for secret talks, an escape by a hot air balloon made of tablecloths, and a single red sock that dyes the prisoner’s uniforms pink. Unlike so many movies made “for kids,” PADDINGTON 2 has nothing in the way of gags related to bodily fluids, kid-friendly cussing, or rude behavior (even in prison!), yet it’s funnier than any film I saw last year. It takes a certain level of maturity to maintain this level of sweetness and the scriptwriters deserve a gold star for good behavior. If PADDINGTON 2 had been released a month ago, it would easily have made my list of last year’s best. It’s wonderful.

5 out of 5 Marmalade Sandwiches

Win Passes To The St. Louis Screening Of HOSTILES Starring Christian Bale


Set in 1892, HOSTILES tells the story of a legendary Army Captain (Christian Bale), who after stern resistance, reluctantly agrees to escort a dying Cheyenne war chief (Wes Studi) and his family back to tribal lands. Making the harrowing and perilous journey from Fort Berringer, an isolated Army outpost in New Mexico, to the grasslands of Montana, the former rivals encounter a young widow (Rosamund Pike), whose family was murdered on the plains. Together, they must join forces to overcome the punishing landscape, hostile Comanche and vicious outliers that they encounter along the way. Hostiles is directed by Scott Cooper (Black Mass, Out of the Furnace, Crazy Heart) and produced by John Lesher (Black Mass, Birdman, Fury) and Ken Kao (The Nice Guys, Knight of Cups). The film stars: Christian Bale (The Big Short, American Hustle, The Dark Knight) Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Jack Reacher), Wes Studi (Avatar, Heat, Geronimo), Adam Beach (Suicide Squad, Flags of Our Fathers), Ben Foster (Hell or High Water, 3:10 to Yuma), Q’orianka Kilcher (Unnatural), Tanaya Beatty (Twilight), Jonathan Majors (Do Not Disturb), Rory Cochrane (Black Mass, Argo), Jesse Plemons (Black Mass, Bridge of Spies), Timothée Chalamet (Love the Coopers, Interstellar), Paul Anderson (The Revenant, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Ryan Bingham (Crazy Heart), David Midthunder (Comanche Moon), John Benjamin Hickey (Get on Up, Pitch Perfect), Stephen Lang (Avatar, The Nut Job), Bill Camp (12 years a Slave, Birdman).


For the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of HOSTILES on January 17 at 7:00 pm in St. Louis, leave a message with your email address in the comments section below.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house.

HELLRAISER JUDGEMENT Coming to Blu-ray and DVD February 13th

Experience a terrifying new chapter in the legendary Hellraiser series when Hellraiser: Judgment arrives on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital), DVD, Digital, and On Demand February 13 from Lionsgate. The tenth film in the classic horror series tells the story of three detectives as they struggle to solve a horrifying murder, but instead find themselves thrust into the depths of Pinhead’s hellacious landscape. Including horror icon Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare), and written and directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe (Hansel & Gretel), the Hellraiser: Judgment Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.

This trailer is so scary!:

The dreaded Pinhead returns in the next terrifying chapter of the classic Hellraiser series. Three detectives trying to stop a diabolical serial killer are sucked into a maze of otherworldly horror, where hellish denizens including the Auditor, the Assessor, and theJury await to pass judgment.

BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Deleted & Extended Scenes
  • Gag Reel

 

CAST

Randy Wayne                         Escape Room, Death Pool

Heather Langenkamp Star Trek: Into Darkness, TV’s “Truth or Dare”

Paul T. Taylor                         TV’s “Sheltered,” Alternative Math

Rheagan Wallace                    TV’s “Malcolm in the Middle”

Wrestler/Actor SCOTT L. SCHWARTZ at The Toyman Toy Show in St. Louis January 14th


The Toyman Toy Show in St. Louis has been going strong for over 26 years now and just keeps getting bigger and better! The fun takes place seven times a year at The Machinists Hall 12365 St Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton, MO 63044. There are over 130 vendors at the Toyman Toy Show spread out over 225 tables. all selling vintage toys, comics, dolls, diecast cars, movie memorabilia, and more as well as cosplayers and artists. It’s an unbelievable amount of fun for only $5 and this next show, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local movie-maker and a pair of famous wrestlers!!


The next Toyman Show is January 14th from 9:00a to 3:00p and Wrestler/Actor SCOTT L. SCHWARTZ, Wrestler COWBOY BOB ORTON, and local filmmaker WYATT WEED will all be in attendance!  


Scott L Schwartz with George Clooney in OCEANS ELEVEN

Scott L. Schwartz usually plays hulking brute criminals due to his immense height and threatening looks and is best known for playing Bulldog the Bruiser in OCEANS ELEVEN and OCEANS THIRTEEN.


Cowboy Bob Orton is an American professional wrestler. He is the son of professional wrestler Bob Orton Sr., the brother of professional wrestler Barry Orton, and the father of professional wrestler Randy Orton. He is best known for his time in the WWF (World Wrestling Federation, now WWE). He has also wrestled for several promotions in the United States, Japan, and other countries.

4CE-8
Wyatt Weed is a St. Louis-based writer and film director whose films include SHADOWLAND and FOUR COLOR EULOGY (read my interview with Wyatt HERE)

The Toyman Site can be found HERE
http://www.toymanshow.com/

General admission is 9a to 3p – Adults $5 and 16 and under FREE. Over 140+ Vendors on 225+ tables of Toys, Comics, Games, Movie posters, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Die-Cast, Models, Pop Culture and NEWLY REOPENED Balcony as an ARTIST ATTIC. The show can’t be complete without the SEVERAL Illustrators, Authors, Artists, Pop Culture Crafts, WPW Wrestling, A.P.G. Grading, Zombie Squad, Gateway City Ghostbusters, U.S.S. UMIAK, Curvy Kitty Cosplay along with SC DC 3D Printing in attendance.

THE WITCHES (1967) Now Available on Blu-ray From Arrow Academy


THE WITCHES (1967) is now available on Blu-ray from Arrow Academy. It can be ordered HERE


In the mid-sixties, famed producer Dino De Laurentiis brought together the talents of five celebrated Italian directors for an anthology film. Their brief was simple: to direct an episode in which Silvana Mangano (Bitter Rice, Ludwig) plays a witch.


Luchino Visconti (Ossessione, Death in Venice) and screenwriter Cesare Zavattini (Bicycle Thieves) open the film with The Witch Burned Alive, about a famous actress and a drunken evening that leads to unpleasant revelations. Civic Sense is a lightly comic interlude from Mauro Bolognini (The Lady of the Camelias) with a dark conclusion, and The Earth as Seen from the Moon sees Italian comedy legend Totò team up with Pier Paolo Pasolini (Theorem) for the first time for a tale of matrimony and a red-headed father and son. Franco Rosso (The Woman in the Painting) concocts a story of revenge in The Sicilian s Wife, while Vittorio De Sica (Shoeshine) casts Clint Eastwood as Mangano s estranged husband in An Evening Like the Others, concluding The Witches with a stunning homage to Italian comic books.


SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

  • Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements produced by Arrow Films exclusively for this release
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • Original Italian mono audio (uncompressed LPCM)
  • Brand-new audio commentary by film critic and novelist Tim Lucas
  • Interview with actor Ninetto Davoli, recorded exclusively for this release
  • English-language version of Vittorio De Sica s episode, An Evening Like the Others, starring Clint Eastwood
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Pasquale Iannone and Kat Ellinger

 

Wizard World COMIC CON St. Louis February 2nd – 4th – Great Line-Up of Guests!

Pop culture comes to life in St. Louis next month! It’s the Wizard World COMIC CON February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at America’s Center downtown (701 Convention Plaza – St. Louis, MO 63101), and boy oh boy, do they have an amazing line-up of guests!

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. St. Louis show hours are Friday, February 2nd, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, February 3rd, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday,February 4th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.

Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more.

For more on the 2018 Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis, visit https://wizardworld.com/comiccon/st-louis

And check out these guests you can meet in St. Louis that weekend!:

SEBASTIAN STAN

Sebastian Stan is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought after young actors.  Stan was last seen on USA Network’s buzzed about mini-series Political Animals. Stan also appeared on ABC’s hit fantasy series Once Upon A Time with for a seven-episode arc. On the big screen, Stan is best known for his role as Bucky Barnes in Marvel’s box office smash Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Other film credits include Summit Entertainment’s Gone, Darren Aranofsky’s Black Swan, Rachel Getting Married, Spread, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Education of Charlie Banks, The Architect and The Covenant.

SEAN BEAN

Sean Bean is an English actor with a long and varied career.  After graduating from RADA he made his professional debut in a theatre production of Romeo and Juliet in 1983 and after leading roles at the royal Shakespeare company, he found his first mainstream success for his portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the ITV series Sharpe.    He has since garnered further recognition for his performances as Ned Stark in the critically acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones, as well as roles in the BBC anthology series Accused and the award winning BBC drama BROKEN.  Perhaps his most prominent film roles is Boromir in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.   He has starred in such films as GoldenEye, Troy, Patriot Games, Ronin, National Treasure, North Country  and many more.

BILLY BOYD

When he was 17 he left school and went to work in a book-binding workshop. Ironically, during the years he worked at the book-binders, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was printed and bound there, many copies bound by his hands. Billy planned on going to America for a year, but before he went he called the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and asked about applying for when he got back. But it so happened that they still had space for this year and they asked him if he wanted to apply and he did. He was at the drama school in a 3-year course for his bachelor of arts degree, meanwhile studying everything from Shakespeare to puppet-making. During this time Billy had a few small roles in TV series such as Down Amongst The Boys and Taggart. After graduating he performed in many plays like The Slab Boys, The Diary of Adrian Mole etc. at The St. Andrews theatre which were his first paying roles. He then received a call from his agent about the Lord of the Rings movies and if he would like to audition for them. He went along not expecting much, but within a few months Peter Jackson came out to Scotland to meet him and to audition him personally. While rehearsing for a show he received a call from his agent who said that the part of Pippin had been offered to him – if he wanted it.

SEAN ASTIN

Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971) is an American film actor, director, voice artist, and producer best known for his film roles as Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, and the title character of Rudy. In television, he appeared as Lynn McGill in the fifth season of 24 and currently voices Raphael in the 2012 Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series.

MICHAEL ROSENBAUM

Michael Rosenbaum has worked with everyone from Bradley Cooper and Kevin Spacey to Christopher Walken and Clint Eastwood. The diverse actor has worked in over twenty films, such as Hit and Run, Urban Legend, Sweet November, Bringing Down The House, Pool Hall Junkies and Sorority Boys. He portrayed Lex Luthor on the smash hit Smallville for seven years and voiced The Flash on the hit animated series The Justice League. Currently, Rosenbaum is starring as the lead actor and Executive Producer in the second season of the dark comedy series IMPASTOR for TVLAND that is a hit with critics and recently finished filming the feature film The LAST DAYS OF SUMMER with Bill Fichtenor.

LUCY DAVIS

Lucy’s first job as an actress was at the age of 20, when she played Maria Lucas in the BBC/A&E adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.  A few years later, she starred in the Golden Globe winning BBC comedy THE OFFICE, playing DAWN TINSLEY. Shortly after this she played DIANNE in Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s zombie movie SHAUN OF THE DEAD.She is also part of Pamela Adlon and Louis CK’s comedy drama BETTER THINGS on FX. And more recently, she can be seen in the new DC movie WONDER WOMAN, where she plays Wonder Woman’s friend and Steve Trevor’s secretary – ETTA CANDY.

JOHN BARROWMAN

John Barrowman is an Entertainer with a capital E. He sings, he dances, he acts, he presents, he judges – he is a unique talent in the entertainment industry on both sides of the Atlantic. John can currently be seen in the regular role of Malcolm Merlyn (aka The Dark Archer) in the hit American drama series Arrow, based on the Green Arrow comic books. The show has been a huge success all over the world, and is aired in the UK on Sky 1 and on the CW network in the USA. He has appeared in all four series of the show. He subsequently guested as Malcolm Merlyn in The Flash, and has also guested on the CW’s hit historical drama Reign. Having guested on the hit American political drama Scandal for the ABC network, he hosted a major new entertainment series for the network, Sing Your Face Off. In the UK on Channel 4 he hosted Superstar Dogs (a game show for dogs) and The Small Animal Hospital with John Barrowman, which followed the work of Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital. He hosted two series of the BBC1 game show Pressure Pad and has hosted The National Lottery Awards on BBC1 three times.

DAN FOGLER

Forging an exceptional transition from theater to film & television, Tony award-winning actor DAN FOGLER recently starred in Warner Bros. highly anticipated FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. Written by JK Rowling, Dan helped launch the five-film franchise series alongside Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston in 2016. He just wrapped production on the sequel FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, coming to theaters everywhere Thanksgiving 2018. His credits include a starring role in Ang Lee’s TAKING WOODSTOCK, Relativity’s TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT, and LOVE HAPPENS opposite Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. Dan is also well known for the cult classicsBALLS OF FURY for Focus and FANBOYS for Weinstein. On the TV side, Dan’s been featured in ABC’s SECRETS & LIES opposite Ryan Phillippe; and had recurring roles on both THE GOLDBERGS and HANNIBAL. In 2005, Dan won a Tony Award for his performance as ‘William Barfee’ in the Broadway production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Bee”.

BONNIE WRIGHT

Wright’s interest in directing springs from her experiences as an actor. From 2001 to 2011, she played Ginny Weasley in all eight films in the Harry Potter series and had the good fortune to work with Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yates. Subsequent acting roles include The Sea (2013) with Charlotte Rampling, After the Dark (2015) with James D’Arcy and most recently,The Highway is for Gamblers (2015), directed by Alexandra McGuinness.

NICHELLE NICHOLS

Nichelle Nichols began her professional singing and dancing career in her home town, Chicago, at the tender age of 14. As a teenager she was discovered by the great Duke Ellington, who hired her to choreograph and perform a ballet for one of his musical suites, and finished the tour as his lead singer. When Nichelle was cast by Gene Roddenberry to create Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura, fourth in command of the Starship Enterprise, in his legendary TV series Star Trek – in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King – “The first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history.”

JAMES FRAIN

James Frain is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors who has a reputation for bold, intelligent performances in a diverse body of work in which he’s collaborated with some of the finest actors and directors working today. He has appeared as character actor and leading man in 28 feature films, and in 47 TV shows, including: True Blood, The Tudors, 24, and The White Queen.

JON HEDER

Jonathan Joseph “Jon” Heder (born October 26, 1977) is an American actor and producer. His feature film debut came in 2004 as the title character of the comedy film Napoleon Dynamite. He has also acted in the films Ghost Team, Walt Before Mickey as Roy Disney, The Benchwarmers, School for Scoundrels, Blades of Glory, Mama’s Boy, and When in Rome, and provided voice talents in the animated films Monster House, and Surf’s Up, as well as Pickle and Peanut,  Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and the Napoleon Dynamite animated series.

 

JAMES MARSTERS

AMERICAN actor, singer and songwriter James Marsters first found international fame playing punk-goth Brit vampire Spike in the critically acclaimed American TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the equally popular spin-off Angel. Film roles include live action film Dragon Ball, romantic love story P.S. I Love You with Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler and Kathy Bates, USA Original true-crime film Cool Money, independent thriller Shadow Puppets, Winding Roads, The House On Haunted Hill and Chance with Buffy co-star Amber Benson.

HOLLY MARIE COMBS

Holly Marie Combs is an American actress and television producer. She is known for her roles as Kimberly Brock in the CBS series Picket Fences, Piper Halliwell in The WB series Charmed, and Ella Montgomery in the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars.

THOMAS IAN NICHOLAS

Thomas Ian Nicholas is an American film actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and writer. Nicholas is best known for playing Henry Rowengartner in Rookie of the Year, Walt Disney in Walt Before Mickey and Kevin Myers in the American Pie film series.

And there are many many more guests! Check back here at We Are Movie Geeks for more coverage of this year’s Wizard World!